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CORRESPONDENCE. 


April  26,  1857. 

Rev.  and  Dear  Sir:— At  a  meeting  on  the  4th  instant,  of  the  mem- 
bers of  Back  Creek  Church,  the  undersigned  were  appointed  a  commit- 
tee to  wait  on  you  and  request  a  copy  of  the  Historical  Address  deliv- 
ered on  the  21st  ultimo  for  publication.  A  regard  for  posterity,  and 
the  perpetuity  of  so  valuable  a  record  of  the  almost  lost  History  of  our 
Church,  gathered  with  much  care  and  research,  ought  to  be  had  in  a 
more  permanent  form. 

You  will  confer  a  favor  that  will  meet  the  desire  of  many  friends  in 
thus  complying.  Very  respectfully  yours, 


JAMES  E.  ANDREW,        )  ~ ...a 

DAVID  R.  BR ADSHAW.  * 


Rev.  S.  C.  Alexander. 


Miranda,  Rowan  County,  N.  C, 
April  29,  1857. 
Gentlemen: — I  received  your  note  today,  asking  for  a  copy  of  the 
Historical  Address  delivered  by  me,   at  the  dedication  of  Back  Creek 
Church.    If  it  can  add  anything  to  the  honor  or  welfare  of  Christ's 
Kingdom,  I  most  cheerfully  acquiesce  in  your  request. 

S.  C.  ALEXANDER. 


James  E.  Andrew,      /  0 .*.  „ 

David  R.  Bradshaw,  \  Committee. 


HISTORICAL  ADDRESS. 


Haggai,  2 — 9.  "The  glory  of  this  latter  house  shall  be  greater  than 
of  the  former,  saith  the  Lord  of  Hosts;  and  in  this  place  will  I  give 
fieace,  saith  the  Lord  of  Hosts. 

Haggai  had  looked  through  the  glass  of  prophecy,  and 
beheld  in  the  far  dim  distance  of  more  than  five  centuries, 
the  Temple  which  was  built  in  his  day,  still  standing, 
crowned  with  a  bright  halo  of  glory.  Although  not  deck- 
ed with  Golconda's  gems,  not  overlaid  with  the  gold  of 
Ophir,  no  pillar  of  fire  adorned  its  summit,  and  no  Sheci- 
nah  was  there.  Its  architectural  beauty  and  magnificent 
proportions,  were  great,  it  is  true,  but  vastly  inferior  to 
the  first,  the  Tem  pie  of  Solomon.  Notwithstanding  all  this, 
the  Prophet  is  bold  to  declare,  that  the  k'glory  of  this  latter 
house  shall  be  greater  than  the  former/'  yea  infinitely 
greater,  because  it  was  to  be  honored  with  the  presence  of 
Incarnate  Deity. 

The  Prince   of   Peace  in  the   fulness  of  time  entered  its 


a-. 


Historical  Address.  3 

portals,  anrl  the  glory  of  Messiah  was  its  crowning  excel- 
lency. The  more  spiritual  dispensation  of  the  Christian 
Church  was  to  be  built  upon  theruins  of  theMosaiceconomy. 
The  typical  ceremony  of  the  Jewish  ritual,  was  to  be  ex- 
changed for  the  immediate  worship  of  the  meek  and  lowly 
Jesus  The  humble  disciple  could  thus  make  a  nearer  ap- 
proach to  his  God;  and  himself  become  a  priest,  and  an 
honored  Levite  from  wThatever  nation  or  tribe  he  may 
have  sprung. 

The  first  Temple  stood  in  peerless  grandeur,  as  the  cen- 
ter-poin^  of  Hebrew  worship,  and  the  capitol  of  a  theocratic 
government.  It  held  in  its  types  and  shadows,  the  germs 
of  the  Christian  Religion,  which  were  to  be  developed  in 
the  person  of  the  Saviour,  who,  in  the  appointed  time,  ap- 
peared as  the  "greater  glory  of  the  latter  house."  In  other 
words,  the  prophet  means  to  say,  that  the  moral  grandeur 
of  the  Christian  religion  is  to  be  greater  and  more  glorious 
than  all  the  physical  splendor  of  the  Temple  serv'ce,  even 
in  its  palmiest  days.  Its  gorgeous  worship  and  imposing 
ritual  are  not  to  be  compared  with  the  beautiful  simplicity 
of  the  last,  and  more  spiritual  dispensation. — Hence,  of  a 
truth,  "the  glory  of  this  latter  house  wasgreater  than  of  the 
former."  "And  in  this  place,"  adds  the  Prophet,  "will  I 
give  peace  saith  the  Lord  of  Hosts."  And  He  who  has  all 
power  in  Heaven  and  earth,  is  able  to  meet  every  promise, 
and  to  fulfill  every  prophecy. 

"In  this  place.*'  in  the  second  Temple,  the  Prince  of 
Peace  did  appear,  and  brought  peace  to  troubled  souls. — 
He  came  to  loose  the  fetters  of  sin,  and  bid  the  captives 
go  free.  He  came  to  proclaim  pardon  to  the  condemned — 
freedom  to  the  enslaved,  and  liberty  to  a  world  in  bondage. 
He  came  to  break  down  the  wall  which  encircled  the  chil- 
dren of  Abraham,  to  offer  peace  to  all  the  nations  of  earth. 
The  Gentile  world  had  ever  been  cast  off,  and  for  thous- 
ands of  years  wandered  in  their  own  way.  Now,  they  are 
called  to  partake  of  the  blessings,  and  enjoy  the  peace  of 
the  Gospel  of  the  Son  of  God. 

But,  we  do  not  purpose  on  this   occasion,  placing  in  con- 


4  Historical  Address. 

trast  the  excellencies  of  the  first  and  of  the  second  Temple. 
Nor  the  greater  glory  of  the  Christian  dispensation,  when 
compared  with  the  Jewish.  However  pleasant  and  profit- 
able this  might  be,  yet  circumstances  naturally  turn  our 
thoughts  in  another  direction. 

We  have  met  today  to  dedicate  this  house  to  the  wor- 
ship of  Almighty  God;  and  to  pray  that  he  may  "give  peace" 
to  us  in  this  place,  and  to  our  successors,  even  down  till 
the  end  of  time.  We  have  also  met  to  celebrate  the  good- 
ness of  the  Lord,  as  manifested  to  us  and  our  fathers, 
for  more  than  half  a  century.  Although  God  has  not 
visited  us  in  dreadful  splendor,  as  he  did  ancient  Israel, 
neither  has  this  mount  of  ordinances  been  overshadowed 
with  thick  clouds  of  darkness,  Jehovah's  chariot.  Nor 
has  it  been  illuminated  with  His  lightnings,  nor  shaken 
with  the  thunders  of  Sinai.  Yet  He  has  often  condescended 
to  make  known  His  stately  steppings  in  our  midst.  Often 
have  the  genial  showers  of  divine  grace  watered  this  part 
of  His  vineyard.  It  will  doubtless  be  both  interesting  and 
profitable,  to  trace  the  history  of  this  Church  from  its  be- 
ginning to  the  present  time.  To  recount  the  throes  and 
pangs  connected  with  its  birth — to  observe  its  healthy 
growth,  and  its  steady  march  onward  and  upward.  We 
wish  also  to  remember  gratefully  her  first  Pastor,  who 
broke  unto  this  people  the  Bread  of  Life — who  led  them 
by  the  still  waters,  and  through  the  green  pastures  of  a 
Saviour's  love;  and  then  to  glance  at  his  successors.  We 
wish,  also,  to  notice  briefly,  those  noble  men  who  first  ruled 
in  this  Church,  but  who  are  now  fallen  asleep;  and  then  to 
number  their  successors.  Thus  we  desire  to  bring  to 
recollection  "the  former  things"  that  if  possible,  we  may 
catch  something  of  the  spirit  and  zeal  of  our  fathers;  that 
we  may  be  stimulated  to  nobler  actions,  more  enlarged 
benevolence,  and  greater  energy. 

Owing  to  the  entire  want  of  the  early  records  of  this 
Church,  this  task  is  attended,  with  not  a  few  difficulties. — 
For  more  than  a  score  of  years  there  is  not  a  Sessional 
Record  to  be  found,  nothing  official  is  left  to  show,  whether 


Historical  Address.  5 

the  Session  ever  met,  or  in  fact  whether  there  was  a  ses- 
sion at  all  or  not,  until  the  15th  of  May,  1830.  It  is  not  a 
little  surprising  that  men  so  accurate  as  were  our  ances- 
tors, who  did  every  thing  by  rule,  should  have  entirely 
neglected  this  important  matter.  But,  notwithstanding 
this,  we  have  been  so  fortunate,  as  to  find  a  few  old  docu- 
ments which  long  since  have  been  carried  into  the  garret, 
or  thrown  into  some  unfrequented  corner,  which  give  val- 
uable statistics  and  reveal  importmt  truths.  Moreover, 
there  are  yet  two  or  three  venerable  fathers  with  us,  who 
remember  well  \he  early  history  of  Back  Creek;  and  also, 
the  "times  of  refreshing  which  came  from  the  presence  of 
the  Lord"  in  1801,  2  and  3.  Their  eyes  still  flash,  and  their 
hearts  kindle  afresh  when  they  tell  us  of  those  times. 
But  let  us  commence  our  story: 

During  the  latter  part  of  last  century,  infidelity 
spread  like  a  contagion  all  over  our  country,  from  one  end 
of  it  to  the  other.  It  gathered  round  the  Church,  and 
settled  down  upon  it  like  a  thick  cloud  of  moral  death 
Although  far  removed  from  the  busy  marts  and  thorough- 
fares of  the  world,  this  retired  part  of  the  Lord's  vineyard 
did  not  wholly  escape  the  infection.  A  cold  dead  formality 
had  well  nigh  chilled  the  vitals  of  true  religion.  But  this 
state  of  things  was  not  permitted  to  remain  long.  God 
heard  and  answered  the  prayers  of  his  faithful  servants. 
His  life-giving  spirit  was  sent  forth  with  power,  and 
breathed  upon  the  valley  of  dry  bones,  and  an  army  of 
living  men  stood  up  to  praise  Jehovah's  name.  This  was 
an  important  era  in  the  history  of  our  Church  and  country. 
It  was  a  time  when  angels  in  heaven,  and  men  on  earth 
rejoiced  together.  It  was  a  tim e  when  a  most  powerful  and 
sudden  death-stroke  was  given  to  the  cause  of  infidelity. 
So  that  its  hideous  form  has  never  since  been  reared  so 
high  in  the  majesty  of  its  ugliness  to  pollute  and  annoy 
the  Church  Thyatira  with  her  thenwidely  extended  limits, 
seemed  to  have  been  thoroughly  aroused  in  those  exciting 
times. 

As  in  all  communities,  so  in  that  venerable  Church,  there 


6  Historical  Address. 

necessarily  existed  a  great  diversity  of  sentiment.  The 
time  had  now  come,  when  this  diversity  was  to  be  fully 
manifested,  The  Revival  of  1802,  let  it  be  remembered, 
was  accompanied  with  many  strange  phenomena,  such  as 
"jerking,"  "leaping,"  "shouting,"  "swooning,"  and  many 
such-]ike  bodily  exercises.  Those  who  were  possessed  of 
more  ardent  zeal  and  strong  affection,  thought  this  a  nec- 
essary part  of  the  revival,  and  produced  by  the  influence 
of  the  Spirit.  While  those  of  a  more  phlegmatic  tempera- 
ment, and  less  impulsive  nature,  looked  upon  it  as  dross 
around  the  precious  metal;  or  rather,  as  the  work  of  Satan 
trying  to  counterfeit  and  hinder  the  work  of  .religion. 
Thus  there  were  two  parlies  formed,  and  each  doubtless^ 
conscientiously  thought  they  were  right.  Those  who 
favored  the  "exercises"  were  called  the  "revival  party," 
as  if  they  alone  were  desirous  of  promoting  the  cause  of 
religion.  While  those  who  thought  differently  were  called 
"opposers"  or  "anti-revivalists,"  as  if  they  wished  to  hold 
back  the  Gospel  car.  One  party  wished  to  have  profound^ 
silence  during  public  worship.  It  mattered  not^how  elo- 
quent the  spaaker  was,  or  how  powerful  the  movings  of 
the  Spirit,  all  must  be  quiet  and  still.  The  other  party 
wished  to  give  vent  to  their  feelings  in  whatever,  way 
inclination  might  lead.  If  they  felt  happy  they  would 
shout  aloud  for  joy,  or  if  distressed  they  would  cry  out,, 
for  mercy.  The  congregation  ofttimes  presenting  the  ap- 
pearance of  a  Bochim -Babel. 

Thus  the  matter  went  on  for  two  or  three  years  each 
party  becoming  more  and  more  sensitive;  and  owing  to 
the  weakness  of  human  nature,  one  seemed  to  exasperate 
the  .ther,  until  it  became  evident  to  all  that  some  final- 
and  decisive  action  should  be  taken  for  the  welfare  of  the 
Church.  A  day  of  fasting  and  humiliation  was  appointed, 
that  they  might  pray  for  wisdom  to  guide  them  in  the 
path  of  duty,  and  that  they  might  adopt  some  plan  of. 
action  which  would  be  for  cheir  peace  and  edification.  The 
day  was  accordingly  observed.  At  which  meeting  the 
Session  was  publicly  charged   with  a  negloct ,ot\ their  duty 


Historical  Address  7 

in  permitting  what  was  looked  on  by  one  party  as  disorder 
and  confusion  to  exist,  in  time  of  public  worship.  The 
Elders  defended  their  conduct  in  a  mild  and  christian- 
like manner,  but  all  to  no  purpose.  Neither  party  was 
willing  to  submit  to  the  other.  Thus  the  day  seemed 
likely  to  close  without  having  bettered  their  condition. 
But  something  must  be  done  was  the  universal  feelling. 
Whereupon,  it  was  resolved  unanimously,  that  all  those 
who  sympathized  with  the  "Revival  Party,"  and  acted 
under  its  influence,  should  be  permitted  to  withdraw  from 
the  Congregation,  and  leave  the  other  party  in  the  quiet 
possession  of  their  house  and  minister.  This  resolution 
was  acted  upon  immediately,  when  about  thirty  families 
withdrew,  including  five  Elders — all  that  Thyatira  then 
had — men  of  whom  the  world  might  be  proud.  This  was 
the  birthday  of  Back  Creek.  The  mother  travailed  with 
pain,  and  a  noble  daughter  was  born. — 

Thus  the  infant  colony,  springing  off  from  the  western 
part  of  Thyatira  principally,  wTas  left  without  a  minister, 
and  without  a  house  in  which  to  worship.  But  with  zeal 
like  theirs,  with  hearts  so  large,  and  hands  so  willing,  all 
difficulties  were  soon  removed,  and  their  necessities  met. 
They  resolved  to  build  a  house  in  their  midst,  in  which 
they  couid  worship  as  their  conscience  dictated. 

To  this  resolution  Thyatira,  and  a  great  part  of  the 
Ministers  o:  the  Presbytery,  were  much  opposed.  Thya- 
tira was  grieved  at  the  loss  of  so  many  of  her  best  men, 
and  the  Clergy  were  afraid  lest  the  movement  would  re- 
sult in  more  harm  than  good.  Thus  the  infant  colony  was 
called  to  meet  new  difficulties  at  every  step  in  its  progress. 
Yet  withal,  undaunted  it  pursued  its  course.  And  in  order 
that  it  might  not  appear  to  be  acting  contrary  to  the  "pow- 
ers that  be,"  the  venerable  John  Barr  was  chosen  as  a  dele- 
gate to  the  next"  meeting  of  Concord  Presbytery,  whic: 
was  to  hold  its  sessions  at  Hopewell  Church,  and  to  com- 
mence on  the  14th  of  March,  1805,  there  to  present  a  pe- 
tition from  the  people  he  represented,  asking  Presbytery 
to  grant  them  a  dismission  from  the  mother  Church,  and 


8  Historical  Address . 

to  organize  a  Church  in  their  midst,  to  be  known  as  the 
Church  of  Back  Creek.  The  whole  matter  was  duly  con- 
sidered, and  after  much  discussion,  was  postponed  till  the 
next  Pall  meeting.  The  little  colony  continued  to  meet  on 
the  Sabbath,*  and  spend  its  sacred  hours  in  reading  the 
Scripture — in  exhortation,  prayer  and  praise.  Their  heart 
was  fixed  on  having  a  separate  Church  organization.  Ac- 
cordingly, at  the  next  meeting  of  Presbytery,  which  was 

at  Rocky  River,  Mr.  Thomas  Cowan  and  Mr. Locke 

appeared  on  behalf  of  Thyatira  to  advocate  her  rights,  and 
to  oppose  the  petition  of  the  colony;  aud  Mr.  John  Barr 
appeared  in  behalf  of  the  petitioners. 

The  subject  was  one  of  no  small  importance.  The  in- 
terest of  Christ's  kingdom  in  this  community  was  at  stake. 
— The  venerable  Presbyters  felt  the  weight  cf  responsi- 
bility resting  on  them.  Patiently  and  calmly  they  pon- 
dered the  matter,  and  finally  concluded  from  all  the  at- 
tending circumstances,  that  it  would  be  the  part  of  wisdom 
to  grant  the  petitioners  their  request — Provided,  the  spot 
on  which  they  proposed  building  their  house  of  worship, 
was  not  less  than  five  mileo  distant  from  Thyatira.  And 
in  order  that  all  parties  might  be  satisfied  with  regard  to 
the  requirement  in  the  proviso,  the  yenerable  Dr.  Hall,  of 
Iredell,  traveled  over  the  road  between  the  two  places, 
with  his  famous  sulky,  and  found  it  to  be  on  close  measure- 
ment, the  distance  required.  Thus  on  the  5th  day  of 
September,  1805,  the  Church  of  Back  Creek  w7as  recog- 
nized as  a  separate  organization,  and  was  accordingly 
enrolled  with  the  other  Churches  under  the  care  of  the 
Presbytery  of  Concord. — Although  fortune  at  first  seemed 
to  frown,  it  soon  began  to  smile  upon  them.  Soon  they 
had  erected  for  themselves  a  comfortable  little  log  house 
in  which  they  worshipped  for  several  years,  which  is  still 

*During  this  time  the  Congregation  worshipped  in  a  large  barn, 
about  a  mile  distant  from  the  present  Church.  This  was  continued 
until  Presbytery  granted  them  their  request,  and  recognized  them  as  a 
Church.  This  is  also  a  beautiful  instance  of  submission  to  the  rightful 
authority  of  "the  powers  that  be." 


Historical  Address.  9 

standing,  and  serves  to  remind  us  of  olden  times.  Doubt- 
less many  hallowed  associations  cluster  around  that  an- 
cient building.  Although  nearly  all  who  worshipped, 
within  its  walls,  have  fallen  asleep,  or  are,  like  unto  it, 
fast  going  back  unto  the  dust  again,  not  many  years 
elapsed  until  it  became  necessary  to  have  a  more  spacious 
building. 

In  1811  the  venerable  house,  that  we  have  just  left,  was 
erected.  The  little  flock  having  thus  struggled  through 
many  difficulties,  and  having  at  last  gained  for  itself  "a 
local  habitation  and  a  name,"  still  there  was  no  shepherd 
to  watch  over  them,  and  to  lead  them  through  green  pas- 
tures. There  was  no  one  to  feed  them  with  the  bread  of 
heaven.  Although  they  were  feeble,  no  task  was  too  hard 
for  them  to  accomplish  if  it  tended  to  their  spiritual  wel- 
fare, and  to  the  glory  of  God.  They  immediately  sought 
for  a  Pastor,  and  obtained  the  services  of  the  Rev.  J.  D. 
Kilpatrick  for  one  half  of  his  m me.  And  on  the  ninth  of 
April,  1807,  Presbytery  being  at  Poplar  Tent,  he  received 
and  accepted  their  call, — BacK  Creek's  first  call  to  her  first 
Pastor.  O,  that  she  could  always  call  such  men,  when  a 
Pastor  is  needed. 

Mr.  Kilpatrick  wTas  emphatically   the  very  man  for  the 
people  who  called  him.    He  suited  in  every  respect.  There 
was  a  remarkable  degree  of  congeniality  in  their  tempera 
ments;  both  were  naturally  warm-hearted  and  impulsive. 

It  was  truly  a  happy  day  when  this  union  was  formed. — 
It  was  a  meeting  of  kindred  spirits.  It. may  be  both  ap- 
propriate and  interesting  here,  to  give  a  brief  historical 
sketch  of  this  eminent  servant  of  the  Lord. 

He  was  born  October  the  8th,  1763,  near  Poplar  Tent 
Church,  in  what  is  now  Cabarrus  County,  North  Carolina. 
There  is  a  tradition  that  he  descended  from  some  illus- 
trious family  in  the  North  of  Ireland.  But  without  any 
records  or  reliable  documents  to  point  out  his  ancestral 
lineage,  it  is  impossible  for  us  to  establish  either  its  truth 
or  its  falsity.  The  days  of  his  boyhood  we  infer,  were 
spent  in   retirement  at  the  old  home-stead,  in  Cabarrus. 


10  Historical  Address. 

But,  after  he  had  grown  to  riper  years,  he  commenced  the 
study  of  the  classics— was  sent  to  Mr.  Pinley's  celebrated 
Academy,  in  the  Waxhaw  settlement.  At  the  age  of  twen- 
ty-one, while  there  reading  Virgil,  and  passing  through, 
not  only  the  books,  but  also  the  period  of  poetry,  he  was 
captivated  by  one  of  Adam's  fairest  daughters.  The  lovely 
Miss  Dickey,  of  Waxhaw,  claimed  the  young  man  of 
promise  as  her  own.  It  was  not  long  before  they  stood 
before  the  altar  of  Hymen,  and  in  the  presence  of  angels 
and  men,  became  plighted  partners  for  future  life.* 

After  his  sojourn  there,  he  came  to  Salisbury,  and  spent 
about  eighteen  months,  in  order  to  complete  his  classical 
course,  under  the  training  of  the  learned  John  Brown, 
D.  D.,  who  was  afterwards  successively  President  of 
Columbia  College,  South  Carolina,  and  of  Athens  College, 
Georgia.  Being  thus  thoroughly  armed  and  equipped  for 
usefulness,  he  was  led  in  the  good  providence  of  God  to 
feel  it  was  his  duty  to  become  a  watchman  on  Zion's  walls. 
He  immediately  commenced  the  study  of  theology  under 
the  direction  of  Rev.  James  Hall,  D.  D.  We  are  not  in- 
formed at  what  time  he  was  licensed;  but  at  the  age  of 
thirty,  he  was  ordained  to  the  full  work  of  the  Gospel 
ministry  by  the  Presbytery  of  Orange, j  and  installed 
Pastor  of  Third  Creek  Church. 

About  thirteen  years  after,  on  the  9th  of  April,  1807,  he 
was  also  called,  to  the  Pastorate  of  Back  Creek  Church,  as 
before  stated,  one  half  his  time  at  each  place.  Thus  early 
was  he.  fixed  permanently  in  his  field  of  labor.  He  had  a 
great  work  to  do,  and    God  spared   his  life  and  gave  him 

strength  to  perform  it..  He  continued  to  labor  in  the  field 
in  which  be  was  located  until  death  "closed  his  bright  eye 

*Gen.  Andrew  Jackson  was  a  class-mate  of  Mr.  Kilpatrick,  and  it  so 
turned  out  that  they  were  both  charmed  with  the  same  lovely  lassie. 
P?ut  she  chose  rather  the  fortunes  of  the  soldier  of  the  Cross,  than  the 
honors  of  him  who  was  destined  to  be  one  of  America's  proudest  mili- 
tary chieftians. 

f  The  Presbytery  of  Orange  then  extended  over  all  that  territory  now 
occupied  by  Concord  Presbytery. 


Historical  Address.  11 

and  curbed  his  high  career.''  For  more  than  thirly-five 
years  he  was  the  Pastor  of  Third  Creek,  and  for  more 
than  twenty-two  years  of  that  time,  he  also  led  the  flock 
of  Back  Creek,  to  the  fountain  of  Salvation.  The  great 
work  of  building  up  the  kingdom  of  Christ  continued  to 
be  the  all  absorbing  object  of  his  life,  till  the  20th  of 
September,  1829,  when  the  Lord  called  him  home  to  rest 
from  his  labors,  and  to  wear  his  crown.  Thus  fell  a  gal- 
lant soldier. — For  many  long  years  he  had  fought  under 
the  banner  of  Prince  Immanuel,  and  proved  himself  faith- 
ful till  the  last.  He  was  a  noble  man — was  possessed  of  a 
large  heart,  generous  feelings  and  willing  hands.  As  a 
public  speaker,  he  was  not  remarkably  gifted  as  an  orator, 
nor  celebrated  as  a  logician.  But  the  great  success  with 
which  he  met,  was  owing  in  no  small  degree,  to  his  pro- 
found earnestness,  his  plain,  pointed  and  powerful  appli- 
cation of  truth.  Often  while  delivering  his  solemn  mes- 
sages, the  big,  manly  tear,  would  steal  down  his  cheek, 
showing  that  he  felt  what  he  said. 

He  could  sympathise  with  his  people  in  all  their  dis- 
tresses; hence,  he  and  his  flock  were  knit  together  in  love, 
as  were  the  hearts  of  David  and  Jonathan.  During  the 
great  Revival  of  1802,  he  took  an  exceedingly  active  part. 
Some  thought  him  too  enthusiastic.  He  loved  to  see  his 
people  weep  under  the  truth,  and  what  good  man  does 
not?  And  if  they  were  disposed  to  shout  aloud  and  praise 
God  for  His  wonderful  goodness  to  them,  he  made  no  sort 
of  objection. 

On  one  occasion,  it  is  said,  while  preaching  at  a  certain 
place,  many  of  his  hearers  became  noisy  in  their  joy,  so 
much  so  that  those  who  were  opposed  to  that  sort  of  pro- 
cedure, thought  it  better  to  carry  outside  of  the  Church, 
those  who  were  inclined  to  shout;  one  after  another  was 
taken,  until  quite  a  multitude  had  been  removed.  The 
venerable  minister  paused  for  a  moment  and  came  down 
from  the  pulpit,  and  remarked  that  he  ' 'loved  to  preach  to 
those  noisy  people,'"  and  went  out  into  the  grove  where 
they  were,    and    resumed  his   discourse.     Mr    Kilpatrick 


12  Historical  Address. 

lived  in  excitement.  He  loved  to  see  men  feel  their  re- 
ligion, and  who  does  not  ?  Religion  is  of  sufficient  impor- 
tance to  excite  the  most  stupid  soul,  and  when  felt  to 
arouse  the  dullest  of  men. 

Hence  during  his  ministry,  Camp-meetings  were  com- 
mon occurrences.  Multitudes  of  families  from  a  distance 
as  well  as  those  near  by,  would  assemble  around  the 
sacred  spot,  and  soldier-like,  pitch  their  tent  and  spend 
many  days  and  nights  together  in  the  solemn  worship  of 
God.  On  occasions  like  these,  the  great  soul  of  Kilpatrick 
was  fired  with  holy  zeal  for  the  glory  of  his  master,  and 
for  the  salvation  of  men.  How  delightful  it  must  have  been 
to  see  this  consecrated  grove  illumined  with  the  camp- 
fires  of  devout  worshippers,  and  to  hear  these  hills  and 
valleys  echo  the  high  praises  of  Jehovah.  When  we  hear 
the  history  of  those  times  recited,  we  almost  wish  that 
we  had  lived  in  the  days  of  our  fathers.  Religion  seemed 
then  to  take  a  deeper  hold  on  the  human  heart  than  it  does 
now.  But  those  times  are  gone.  A  half  a  century  has 
rolled  away.  And  great  changes  have  been  wrought;  cold, 
calculating  utilitarianism  seems  to  have  taken  the  place 
of  earnest  enthusiastic  religion.  But  to  return,  time 
would  fail  us  to  tell  all  the  excellencies  of  the  first  Pastor 
of  Back  Creek,  or  to  speak  of  all  the  interesting  occur 
rences  in  his  eventful  ministry;  occurrences  too,  that  are 
worthy  of  a  place  on  history's  permanent  page.  Suffice 
it  to  say,  while  he  lived,  he  lived  in  the  hearts  of  his  peo- 
ple, and  labored  for  the  upbuilding  of  the  Church,  and  for 
the  glory  of  the  Redeemer's  kingdom.  And  now  since  he 
is  dead,  his  memory  is  cherished  with  the  fondest  affec- 
tion; and  his  w7orks  do  follow  him.  Doubtless  the  effects 
of  his  life  and  labors,  will  be  felt  on  generations  unborn. 

His  body  lies  in  Third  Creek  errave-yard.  k,He  sleeps 
his  last  Lleep,  he  has  fought  his  last  battle.  No  sound 
can  awake  him  to  glory  again/'  till  the  Archangel's  trump 
shall  bid  him  arise. 

After  the  death  of  Mr.  Kilpatrick,  the  congregation  was 
without  a   minister   for  about  one   vear,  until    the   5th  of 


Historical  Address.  13 

October.  1830,  when  the,  Rev.  Andrew  Y.  Loekridge,  a 
Licentiate  of  Lexington  Presbytery,  Virginia,  was  invited 
to  be  his  successor.  On  the  25th  of  May,  1832,  he  was  or-; 
dained  and  installed  Pastor'of  Back  Creek  and  Third  Creek : 
Churches,  one  half  of  his  time  at  each  Church.  This  ar- 
rangement continued  till  1836,  when  Back  Creek  employed 
him  for  the  whole  of  His ;  time.  He  remained  with  this 
people  to  break  unto  the^m  the  bread  of  life  until  1845, 
wThen  he  removed  to  the  Presbytery  of  Cherokee,  in  Geor- 
gia, where  he  still  lives;  and  is  ministering  to  a  Church 
called  Pleasant  Green.  May  his  life  and  labors  ever  be 
pleasant,  and  may  he^be  spared  to  a  green  old  age. 

On  the  31st  of  March,  1846,  he  was  succeeded  by  the 
Rev.  Thomas  E.  Davis,  who  continued  to  minister  unto 
this  people  in  holy  things  until  March,  1851,  when  he  re- 
moved to  Rutherfordton,  and  entered  upon  the  labors  of  a 
Domestic  Missionary,  >iozxj.& 

In  June,  1852,  he  was  succeeded  by  Mr.  Robert  Agnew, 
a  Licentiate  under  the  care  of  Concord  Presbytery,  who 
remained  only  for  the  short  space  of  one  year  and  two 
months.  His  time  and  labors  were  equally  divided  be- 
tween Thyatira  and  Back  Creek.  These  two  Churches, 
long  separated,  were  again  united.  The  venerable  mother 
of  more  than  a  hundred  years,  and  her  daughter  of  half  a 
century,  again  embraced  each  other.  May  their  mutual 
love  increase  with  their  age;  and  may  the  ties  of  affection, 
which  bind  them  now,  yet  be  stronger  !j 

In  March,  1854,  he  who  now  addresses  you;  commenced 
his  labors  in  your  midst.  May  the' Lord  of  all  grace  ever 
give  him  wisdom  and  ability  to  perform  aright  the  solemn  ' 
duties  of  his  office.  Let  us  next  notice  briefly,  the  Elder- 
ship of  the  Church.  Her  first  rulers,  five  in  number, 
were  elected  and  ordained  in  Thyatira  But  after  Back 
Creek  sprang  off  and  became  a -separate  organization,  they 
having  come  with  the  seceding  party,  were  elected  again 
to  the  same  office  here,  that  they  held  in  the  mother 
Church. 

The  original  Bench  was  as  follows: — Thomas  King,  John 


14  Historical  Address. 

Barr,  William  Bell,  Abraham  Lowrance  and  Thomas  Gil- 
lespie. Their  life  has  been  sketched  in  another  place,  and 
therefore  it  is  not  necessary  here  to  recite  it  again.  But 
such  men  as  these  deserve  a  more  extended  notice.  They 
should  have  a  place  in  the  history  of  the  Church,  as  well 
as  a  place  in  our  memory.  They  performed  a  great  work, 
in  their  day,  both  for  their  Church,  and  for  their  com- 
munity. They  served  their  Master  with  fidelity,  and  are 
doubtless  now,  e  a  joying  a  rich  reward  for  all  the  toils  they 
bore,  and  for  all  the  trials  they  endured.  They  have  long 
since  gone  to  their  graves,  where  neither  praise  nor 
blame,  have  any  power  to  arouse  them.  The  dull  cold  ear 
of  death  cannot  hear.  Then,  honor  to  their  names,  and 
peace  to  their  ashes.      , 

On  the  27th  of  December,  1806,  William  Kilpatrick, 
Samuel  McNeely,  and  George  Andrew,  were  added  to  the 
list  of  Elders — men  of  whom  we  cannot  speak  too  highly. 
Each  was  distinguished  for  his  own  excellency  of  char- 
acter. When  sitting  in  council  about  the  welfare  of  the 
Church,  it  is  said  William  Kilpatrick  would  devise  ways 
and  means  for  the  prosperity  of  Zion.  George  Andrew 
would  discourse  on  its  practicability.  He  would  present 
it  in  one  aspect  and  then  in  another,  in  order  that  it  might 
be  weighed  well, — while  the  venerable  John  Barr  and 
Samuel  McNeely  who  knew  their  Bible  by  heart,,  would 
decide  whether  it  were  right  or  not,  or  whether  it  would 
be  for  the  general  good.  Thus  each  wheel  in  the  ma- 
chinery performed  its  part;  and  the  consequence  was,  the 
Church  like  a  healthy  plant,  grew  and  flourished,  and  be- 
came a  praise  in  the  land.  In  1833,  another  addition  was 
made  to  the  Session  by  the  election  and  ordination  of 
William  King,  Thomas  Mathews,  John  Houston,  John  M. 
Lowrance  and  Abner  Adams. — Only  two, of  this  number 
are  spared  to  be  with  us  now.  The  other  three  have  fal- 
len asleep.  They  were  men  with  whom  you  were  all 
familiar.  Their  names  are  embalmed  in  your  memories 
Their  excellencies  are  well  known. — And  you  have  long 
since  mourned  their  loss. 


Historical  Address.  15 

In  1836,  Col.  John  F.  McCorkle,  Ebenezer  McNeely,  and 
Dr.  D.  C.  Mebane,  were  numbered  among  the  Rulers  of 
Back  Creek.  The  two  last  mentioned,  have  removed  to 
different  fields  of  labor.  Mr.  J.  N.  Kilpatrick  was  elected 
in  1841,  but  continued  only  a  short  time.  He  and  his  ven- 
erable father,  William  Kilpatrick,  were  soon  afterwards 
borne  to  the  house  appointed  for  all  the  living.  In  life, 
they  were  united,  and  in  death  they  were  not  divided. 
The  father  died  on  one  day,  and  the  son  followed  on  the 
next.  Mr.  John  Shive,  an  Elder  from  Bethpage,  was  re- 
ceived into  this  Church,  and  also  elected  as  one  of  her 
Elders.  After  a  few  years  sojourn  with  us,  he  set  out  to 
seek  his  fortune  in  the  great  West,  where  he  yet  lives. 
The  present  Session  of  this  Church  consists  of  the  follow 
ing  gentlemen,  viz: — William  King,  John  M.  Lowrance, 
Col.  John  F.  McCorkle,  D.  H.  Patterson,  James  E.  An- 
drew and  Dr.  Samuel  D.  Rankin.  In  all,  there  have  been 
twenty-one  Elders  in  Back  Creek,  since  its  organization; 
thirteen  of  that  number  are  dead,  and  nine  are  living.  It 
mity  here  be  remarked  with  propriety,  that  the  Session  of 
this  Church  has  been  represented  three  times  in  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly,  George  Andrew  was  twice  honored  with  a 
seat  in  that  body,  and  William  King  once. 

Speaking  with  reference  to  the  dead,  we  honestly  be- 
lieve that  no  Church  can  boast  of  a  better  Eldership,  than 
that  which  lived  and ,  ruled  in  Back  Creek.  It  was  their 
meat  and  drink  to  do  their  Master's  will.  Their  religion 
was  ever  of  a  lively  sort.  In  fact  the  Church  was  born  in 
the  midst  of  a  revival,  and  often  since,  has  it  been  watered 
with  the  dews  of  heaven.  Bible  Classes,  Sabbath  Schools 
and  Prayer-Meetings  have  here,  ever  been  considered 
neccessary  accompaniments,  to  the  preaching  of  the  Gos- 
pel. Hence,  God  has  often  heard  their  prayers,  and  con- 
ferred rich  blessings  upon  the  Church  and  her  children. 
And  may  we,  the  unworthy  sons  and  daughters  of  noble 
ancestors,  never  tarnish  the  good  name  handed  down  to 
us,  by  proving  recreant  to  our  high  trust,  or  by  being 
sluggards  in  the  Lord's  vineyard.     May  we  ever  worship 


16  Historical  Address. 

with  our  whole  heart  the  God  of  our  fathers;  yea,  may  we 
pant  after  Him  as  the  hart  panteth  after  the  water  brooks. 

And,  in  conclusion  brethren,  let  us  dedicate  this  neat  and 
tasteful  house,*  to  the  worship  of  the  Most  High,  as  a 
thank  offering,  at  this  semi-centenary  celebration  because 
of  his  wonderful  goodness  to  us.  In  His  good  providence, 
this  Church  has  been  preserved  for  many  years.  It  has 
been  blessed  with  Ministers  and  Rulers  until  now.  It  has.,, 
grown  from  a  small  and  feeble  flock  to  its  present  size  and 
strength.  And  this  day  we  are  permitted  to  assemble  in  a 
building  of  beautiful  prpportions,  and  one  in  some  degree 
worthy  of  the  object  for. which  it  was  erected.  .We.  and 
those  who  lived  before  us,  until  now,  were  content  to  wor- 
ship in  a  sanctuary  of  more  humble  pretensions;  but  God 
has  done  great  things  for  us  whereof  we  are  glad.  It 
should  be  the  earnest  prayer  of  all,  that  the  glory  of  this 
latter  house  might  be  greater  than  of  the  former.  That 
our  usefulness  as  a  Church  might  be  more  extensively  felt. 
That  by  our  instrumentality,  peace  might  be  given  to 
many  troubled  souls.  And  that  the  Gospel  of  the  Prince 
of  Peace,  by  our  assistance,  might  speedily  be  carried  to 
earth's  remotest  bounds.  Our  fathers  did  well,  yea  they 
acted  nobly  in  their  day.  But  God  calls  upon  us  to  do 
more  than  they  did.  They  lived  in  what  may  be  called  a 
formative  period,  when  the  machinery  of  the  Church  for  ■ 
enlarged  benevolence  was  being  prepared.  We  are  fifty 
years  in  their  advance;  when  that  machinery,  in  a  measure, 
has  been  completed.  And#  now  occupying  this  vantage- 
ground,  God  calls  upon  us  to  make  that  .machinery  bear, 
with  power  upon  the  world.  Just  as  our  opportunity  for 
doing  good  increases,  just  in  the  same  proportion  does  our 
obligation  to  labor  increase.  ,  .v       a 

God  has  called  us  upon  the  world's  great  stage,  in  the 

*This  house  was  erected  under  the  supervision  of  the  following  Com- 
mittee, viz:  Dr.  Samuel  D.  Rankin,  Chairman;  Col.  Alfred  M.  Good- 
man, Treasurer;  Col.  John  F.  McCorkle,  Maj.  David  R.  Bradshaw, 
and  David  H.  Patterson.  They  performed  their  part  with  fidelity, 
and  therefore  deserve  to  be  honorably  mentioned. 


Historical  Address. 


17 


midst  of  the  nineteenth  century — when  opportunities 
for  usefulness  stand  thick  around  us,  and  surely  he  ex- 
pects each  man  to  act  well  his  part  And  brethren,  we 
must  act  that  part  now, — to-morrow  we  may  gathered 
with  the  pale  nations  of  the  dead.  We  are  this  day  forci- 
bly reminded  of  the  truth  that  we  should  do  quickly  that 
which  we  purpose  doing.  Many  lived  to  see  this  building 
commenced,  who  never  saw  it  completed.  Among  those 
were  four  heads  of  families,  who  fondly  hoped  to  be  with 
us  at  its  dedication,  but  to-day  they  lie  in  yonder  grave- 
yard. In  a  few  more  years,  and  God  only  knows  how  few, 
we  all  shall  be  gathered  with  them,  to  our  cold  and  silent 
graves.  O  then,  let  us  be  up  and  doing  while  it  is  called 
to-day.  With  generous  hearts  and  liberal  hands,  let  us 
labor  while  we  live.  Let  us  gird  the  Gospel  armor  on, 
and  work  like  christian  men.  Let  us  never  grow  weary 
in  so  glorious  a  cause.  Let  us  determine  never  to  lay 
down  our  weapons  until  victory  shall  crown  our  noblest 
efforts.  And  until  the  whole  Church  shall  arise  and  "shine, 
clear  as  the  sun,  fair  as  the  moon,  and  terrible  as  an  army 
with  banners." 


NOTE. 


At  a  meeting  of  the  officers  (Elders  and  Deacons)  of  Back  Creek 
Presbyterian  Church  on  July  9th,  1905,  Tuesday,  September  5th,  1905, 
was  fixed  as  the  day  for  observing  the  Centennial  of  said  Church. 
Rev.  J.  B.  Branch,  the  Pastor  elect,  and  Deacon  Dr.  Geo.  A.  Brown, 
were  appointed  a  committee  to  formulate  a  suitable  programme  of  ex- 
ercises for  said  Centennial  Celebration;  and  Jno.  K.  Goodman,  Clerk 
of  Session,  was  appointed  to  prepare  an  Historical  Sketch  of  Back 
Creek  Church,  covering  the  time  from  March  A.  D.  1857  to  September 
1905,  and  have  the  same  ready  for  reading  on  September  5th,  1905,  as 
part  of  the  Centennial  exercises  of  that  day. 

JNO.  K.  GOODMAN, 

Clerk  of  Session. 


BOOK  II. 


Historical  Sketch  of  Back  Cree\\Church. 

From  'March  1857  to  September  1905. 


The  writer,  to  whom  this  task  has  been  assigned,  begs 
to  say  that  it  is  a  source  of  much  regret  that  a  fuller  and 
more  concise  record  of  events  has  not  been  kept.  How- 
ever, he  has  addressed  himself  to  the  work  in  the  humble 
hope  that  the  result  is  not  entirely  disappointing,  and  that 
some  benefits  may  be  derived  therefrom. 

Whilst  this  sketch  is  chiefly  intended  to  cover  the  time 
from  March,  1857,  to  September,  1905,  yet  notice  is  made 
of  a  few  interesting  facts  prior  to  1857. 

As  in  the  history  of  nations  and  races  of  men,  the  bio- 
graphies of  the  leading  individual  characters  furnish  the 
key;  just  so  in  the  Church  militant,  which  was  instituted 
as  an  agent  in  the  salvation  and  sanctification  of  our  fallen 
race,  and  for  the  glory  of  our  blessed  Redeemer.  But 
time  and  space  would  fail  us  in  the  attempt  to  little  more 
than  mention  the  names  of  those  who  have  answered  the 
calls  to  minister  to  this  people  in  holy  things,  or  serve  as 
officers  in  this  church;  to  say  nothing  of  the  uniformly 
devout  and  steadfast  rank  and  file  of  its  private  member- 
ship. One  generation  after  another,  of  Godly  men  and 
women  have  come  upon  the   scene,  lived   and   labored  in 


22  Historical  Sketches. 

their  day,  and  passed  into  their  glorified,  eternal  state, 
leaving  to  us,  who  now  occupy  where  they  once  did,  the 
rich  legacy  of  much  of  the  results  and  rewards  of  their 
lives  and  deeds.     "The  memory  of  the  just  is  blessed." 

The  time  of  the  dedication  of  the  present  neat  and  still 
substantial  Brick  Church  Building,  in  March,  1857,  mark- 
ed very  nearly  the  semi-centennial  of  this  Church.  To- 
day, September  5,  1905,  the  hand  on  the  dial  of  time  indi- 
cates Back  Creek's  centennial  age.  Just  one  hundred  years 
ago,  as  has  been  noted  in  former  history,  Concord  Pres- 
bytery, in  session  at  Rocky  River  Church,  Cabarrus 
County,  N.  C,  recognized  the  "colony"  of  about  twenty 
(20)  families,  containing  thirty-four  (34)  members  of  reso 
lute,  true  and  determined  Presbyterians  as  a  separate 
organization,  and  accordingly  entered  its  name  "Back 
Creek"  on  the  roll  of  Churches  under  its  care 

Concord  Presbytery  has  accepted  our  invitation  to  meet 
here,  in  regular  session,  on  this  centennial  occasion;  and 
in  this  connection  let  it  be  noted  that  Presbytery  has  been 
entertained  at  Back  Creek  six  times  heretofore: — First  in 
April  1820,  next  in  April  1882,  then  in  September  1840, 
May  1855,  April  1868,  and  September  1889. 

After  the  dedication  services  at  Back  Creek  Church, 
March  21,  1857,  "the  congregation  met  and  paid  off,  in  full, 
the  balance  due  for  the  building;  and  appointed  Jas.  E. 
Andrews,  John  F.  Clodfelter  and  Jas.  A.  Houston  a  com- 
mittee on  seats--each  family  pew  was  assessed  twenty - 
five  (25)  cents  per  annum  for  a  sexton  fund."  It  was  the 
prevailing  practice  in  those  days  for  the  members  of  each 
family  to  occupy  together  their  "family  pew"  during  pub- 
lic services;  and  it  is  very  niuch  feared  that  the  partial 
neglect,  to-day,  of  that  beautiful,  time-honored  custom  in 
dicates  a  slackening  of  the  reins  of  wholesome  paremal 
restraint  and  authority. 

On  August  10,  ,1856,  the  last  public  service,  the  last  ser- 
mon was  preached  in  the  "Old  Log  Church,"  built  in  1811. 

The  first  Deacons  in  Back  Creek  Church  were  elected 
on  May  22.    1858,  viz:— Col.    Alfred    M.  Goodman,   Jno.  F. 


Historical  Sketches.  23 

Glodfelter,  Jacob  P.  Goodman,  Moses  Lingle,  Jaaies  Mil- 
ler and  J.  Wilson  McNeely;  and  on  the  following  June  27 
they  were  regularly  ordained  and  installed  Prior  to  this 
the  financial, and  temporal  affairs  of  the  Church  were  ad- 
ministered, (under  the  session)  by  a  board  of  trustees 
elected  b.y  the  Congregation,  but  not  regularly  ordained 
and  installed  into  office  as  is  now  the  more  scriptural  prac- 
tice with  Deacons.  .- 

.  The  pastoral  relation  wTas  dissolved  between  Rev  S.  C. 
Alexander  and  Back  Creek  Church  on  September  10,  1859, 
he  having  served  H,  one  half  his  time,  since  March  5,  1854, 
the  other  half  tine  at  Thyatira  Church.  He  was  Pastor 
before,  during,  and  for  some  time  after  the  building  of  the 
new  church,  and  was  a  great  instrument  in  advancing  the 
Lord's  cause  in  this  community.  The  Historical  Address 
or  sermon  delivered  by  him  at  the  dedication  of  Back 
Creek  Church  March  21.  1857,  (just  read  in  your  hearing) 
marks  him  as  a  man  of  no  ordinary  ability,  tact  and  zeal; 
and  God's  blessing  has  followed  him  and  his  work  into 
other  fields  of  labor.  His  life  is  still  spared  to  bless  man- 
kind; and  some  yet  living  here  still  hold  his  labors  in  this 
part  of  the  Lord's  vineyard  in  grateful  remembrance.  It 
gives  us  much  plaasure  that,  in  God's  providence,  he  is 
permitted  to  be  present  with  us  to-day. 

In  1860  Rev.  Stephen  Frontis  preached  at  Back  Creek 
as  stated  supply  for  a  term  of  six  months. 

On  April  29th.  1860,  an  addition  was  made  to  the  elder- 
ship by  the  ordination  and  installation  of  Moses  Lingle, 
Jacob  F.  Goodman  and  Jno.  T.  Stewart,     . 

In  June  1861  Rev.  Winslow  B.  Watts  began  his  minis- 
terial labors  at  Back  Creek  and  Prospect  Churches,  (one- 
half  time  at  each)  and  was  ordained  and  installed  Pastor 
October  28,  1861,  and  remained  with  us  until  his  death, 
July  19,  1868.  His  remains  are  interred  in  Back  Creek 
grave-ya,rd.  The  people  of  Back  Creek  congregation 
erected  the  tombstone  at  his  grave,  to  his  memory.  Mr. 
Watts  may  appropriately  be  termed  the  "War  Pastor"  of 
Back  Creek  Church.     His   term  of  service  began  shortly 


24  Historical  Sketches. 

after  the  dark  clouds  of  sectional  strife  had  gathered  and 
burst  with  such  terrific  force;  strewing  our  land,  for  four 
long  years,  with  death,  destruction  and  sorrow.  His  was 
a  ministration  of  great  earnestness  and  usefulness.  Be- 
ing of  a  sympathetic  and  cheerful  nature,  he  was  specially 
adapted  to  sympathizing  with,  comforting  and  cheering 
the  afflicted,  bereaved  and  sorrowing  in  those  troublous 
times  which  tried  men's  souls;  ever  pointing  all  such  to 
Him  who  has  promised,  "He  shall  deliver  thee  in  six  trou- 
bles: yea,  in  seven  there  shall  no  evil  touch  thee."  Cut 
down  in  the  prime  of  life  and  in  the  midst  of  his  useful- 
ness, he  is  still  held  in  loving  recollection  and  mention  by 
the  living  who  knew  him  and  were  blessed  by  his  life  and 
labors. 

Oh,  that  we  could  omit  further  reference  to  events  and 
incidents,  circumstances  and  conditions  of  those  gloomy, 
dark  and  dreadful  days  of  Civil  War,  and  their  awful 
consequences,  felt  for  years  afterward,  and  even  yet ! 
The  Captain's  roll-call — the  soldier's  graves  in  yonder 
Back  Creek  grave-yard,  and  on  the  far-off  battle  fields  and 
burying  grounds — their  vacant  seats  in  this  house  of  wor- 
ship and  at  their  own  fire-sides — the  habiliments  of  mourn- 
ing to  be  seen — all  then  spoke,  and  even  yet  speak  in  lan- 
guage stronger  than  can  be  written  of  the  ordeals,  results 
and  horrors  of  war.  Again  and  again  did  earnest  prayers 
from  agonizing  hearts  ascend,  from  within  these  walls,  to 
the  source  of  all  help,  that  the  Great  Ruler  of  armies 
would  restrain  the  wrath  of  man,  and  cause  strife  and 
bloodshed  to  cease;  that  the  swords  be  beaten  into  plow- 
shares, and  the  spears  into  pruning  hooks,  and  that  our 
people  learn  war  no  more;  and  that  the  men  of  contending 
armies  be  permitted  to  return  to  their  homes,  and  to  the 
peaceful  pursuits  of  agriculture,  commerce  and  manufac- 
tories. 

In  the  year  1868,  there  were  added  to  the  Board  of 
Deacons,  Dr.  Oni  P.  Houston  and  J.  Addison  White  In 
the  same  year  the  congregation  built  on  the  Church 
ground,  for  the  two-fold  purpose  of  an  Academy  and  Ses- 


Historical  Sketches.  25 

sion  House,  a  two-room,  brick  building.     Also  in  1868,  the 
stone  wall  was  built  around  the  grave-yard. 

The  foundation  of  the  Session  House  having  become  im- 
paired, it  was  rebuilt  in  1882,  as  it  now  stands.  This  ex- 
pense was  chiefly  met  by  the  use  of  $215.35  taken  from 
the  Dr.  P.  N.  Lackey  legacy  of  $2&0.00  bequeathed  to 
Back  Creek  Church  by  him.  During  the  pastorate  of 
Rev.  J.  A.  Ramsay  the  balance  of  said  legacy  was  appro- 
priated to  pay  arrears  of  his  salary. 

As  a  matter  of  interest,  let  it  be  here  stated  that  while 
Back  Creek  has  never  run  what  would  be  called  a  church 
or  parochial  school,  yet  the  cause  of  education  has  ever 
and  anon  been  fostered  and  encouraged  in  this  community; 
sometimes  to  a  commendable  degree.  For  about  nine 
years  of  the  pastorate  of  Rev.  A.  Y.  Lockridge,  Back 
Creek  was  his  only  charge,  and  in  addition  to  his  ministe- 
rial work  he  taught  a  classical  school  in  the  community; 
just  how  many  terms,  or  years,  this  school  was  thus  con 
ducted  the  writer  is  not  able  to  say.  It  was  during  Rev. 
A.  Y.  Lockridge's  term  of  service  among  this  people  that 
they  were  brought  to  believe  that  a  denominational  home- 
college  was  a  necessity;  and  they  showed  their  faith  by 
their  works;  for  during  the  years  1835  to  1839  they  sub- 
scribed and  paid  for  the  founding  and  support  of  Davidson 
College  the  sum  of  $955.75.  A  copy  of  receipt  for  the 
same  is  recorded  on  page  165,  Vol.  1  of  the  records  of 
Back  Creek  Church. 

It  is  a  remarkable  fact  that  within  the  short  space  of 
time,  from  July  19,  1868  to  November  4,  1869,  (less  than 
seventeen  months)  Back  Creek  lost  by  death  its  Pastor,  Rev. 
VV.  B.  Watts,  three  Elders,  viz: — Wm.  King,  Jno.  M.  Low- 
rance  and  Jacob  P.  Goodman,  one  Deacon,  Jno.  F.  Ciod- 
felter,  and  its  oldest  communing  member,  George  Knox. 
The  latter  having  lived  to  the  ripe  eld  age  of  a  quarter  of 
a  centurv  beyond  the  allotted  three  score  and  ten,  being 
over  ninety-five  years  old  when  transferred  from  the 
Church  militant  into  the  Church  triumphant.  His  was  a 
life  of  humility  and  deep  piety;  strong  faith,  bright  hopes 


26  Historical  Sketches. 

and  fervent  prayers.  Though  not  a  scholar,  as  that  term 
implies,  yet  his  public  prayers  were  models  of  diction  and 
pathos,  and  a  benediction  to  any  congregation  of  true 
worshippers.  One  of  his  pastors  has  aptly  said  that  he 
"seemed  to  get  nearer  the  throne  of  grace  in  prayer  than 
any  one  he  ever  knew;  humbly  and  boldly  approaching  to 
the  very  gate  of  heaven,  and  talking  face  to  face  with 
God."  Although  never  called  to  serve  as  an  officer  in  the 
Church,  his  life,  work  and  example  bless  mankind  and 
glorify  his  Creator.  May  our  private  members,  to-day 
and  always,  emulate  such  examples. 

Of  the  deceased  Elders,  aboye  mentioned,  two  of  them, 
Wm.  King  and  Jno.  M.  Lowrance  had  been  in  that  office 
about  thirty-five  years,  having  been  added  to  the  Eider- 
ship  at  the  same  time.  The  third  Elder  in  this  connection, 
Jacob  P.  Goodman,  had  served  in  this  capacity  only  about 
nine  years,  dying  in  middle  age. 

December,  1868,  the  Rev,  Robt.  Bradley  began  his 
labors  at  Back  Creek  and  Prospect  Churches,  as  stated 
supply,  which  relation  continued  for  18  months. 

In  1872,  May  25,  there  were  added  to  the  eldership, 
Thos.  McConnell  and  J.  Addison  White — same  date  added 
as  Deacons,  Philander  Alexander,  S.  Chalmers  Rankin 
and  Jno.  K.  Goodman. 

Lost  by  death  in  1873,  three  Elders,  J.  Addison  White, 
D.  Houston  Patterson  and  Jno.  T.  Stewart. 

Owing  to  unhealthy,  malarial  conditions  which  prevailed 
in  the  Back  Creek  community,  from  about  1865  to  1875  or 
later,  and  the  general  spirit  of  unrest  which  prevailed  in 
those  memorable  and  oppressive  days  of  political  recon- 
struction, and  from  other  causes,  many  of  our  best  fami- 
lies, individuals,  and  strongest  supporters  of  church  work 
here  moved  from  our  bounds;  among  them  another  Elder, 
S.  C.Rankin,  who  had  served  efficiently  since  October  1874. 

These  reverses  and  discouragements,  from  year  to  year., 
were  seriously  felt;  and  the  breaches  are  not  yet  fully  re- 
paired. Yet  the  Lord  has  mercifully  cared  for  this  vine  of 
His  own  planting;  and  He  has  greatly  blessed  us,  whereof 


Historical  SketcJies.  27 

we  are  glad;  and  we  give  Him  thanks  and  take  courage. 

In  September  1865  the  Rev.  Geo.  Egleton,  with  our  Pas 
tor,  Rev.  W.  B.  Watts,  held  a   series   of   most  interesting 
meetings  at  BacK  Creek.     It  was  a  special  time  of  refresh- 
ing from  the  Lord;  many   confessed    Christ;  and  His  own 
disciples  were  strengthened  in  the  faith. 

Rev.  A.  E.  Chandler  served  Back  Creek  for  two  years  as 
stated  supply,  (one-half  his  time)  commencing  in  Febru- 
ary, 1873. 

In  June  1877  Rev.  J.  Alston  Ramsay,  D.  D.,  was  installed 
Pastor  of  Back  Creek  and  Thyatira,  and  continued  their 
honored  and  beloved  Pastor  for  fourteen  years;  at  the  end 
of  that  time  he  accepted  a  call  to  serve  the  church  at  Hick- 
ory, N.  C,  where  he  remained  as  pastor  until  his  death, 
in  January,  1900  He  was  a  native  of  Rowan  County,  N. 
C.  The  memory  of  his  ministerial  labors  here  among  this 
people  is  still  fresh  and  green.  No  biography  of  his  life 
need  be  here  attempted;  suffice  it  to  say,  he  was  a  faithful, 
fearless  and  powerful  defender  of  the  truth,  of  acknowl- 
eged  ability.  His  sermons  were  ever  and  uniformly  full  of 
scriptural  truth,  and  sound  logical  reason;  delivered  with 
true  earnestness  and  pathos,  grace,  dignity  and  eloquence 
— "and  his  works  do  follow  him."  Though  not  of  strong 
physic,  a  man  of  wide  usefulness — systematic  in  his 
methods — of  sound  judgment  and  discretion.  In  his  death 
our  church  at  large  lost  one  of  its  strongest  stakes. 

September  9th,  1877,  H. Ellis  Shoaf  was  made  Deacon.  In 
1881  there  were  added  to  the  Eldership  G.  Henry  Brown 
and  Jno.  K.  Goodman.  August  20, 1884,  S.  Bingham  Hart 
was  added  to  the  Deacons,  and  November  13,  1886,  Cea- 
burn  A.  McConnell,  and  May.  1888,  J.  Ambrose  Stewart. 

September  10,  1893,  H.  Ellis  Shoaf  was  ordained  and 
installed  elder;  and  to  the  office  of  Deacon  Jas.  A.  Bailey 
and  W.  W.  Miller.  -  In  1897  or  1898  the  second  shingle 
roof  was  stripped  from  the  Church  and  replaced  with  a 
tin  one.  and  the  outside  wood-work  repainted;  all  at  a  cost 
of  about  1150.00. 

In  1900  the  pulpit  was    recarpeted  and    the  aisles  of  the 


28  Historical  Sketches. 

Church  were  carpeted,  costing  about  $40. 00.  And  a  short 
while  afterward  the  pulpit  sofa,  which  had  done  service 
near  50  years,  was  replaced  with  chairs,  cost  130.00. 

August  1905,  the  interior  wood  work  of  Church  was 
repainted,  the  walls  calcimined,  and  the  floor  oiled;  also 
the  tin  roof  re-painted;  all  at  a  cost  of  about  $  150.00. 

March  11,  1900,  Dr.  Geo.  A.  Brown  was  ordained  and 
installed  Deacon. 

Rev.  J.  A.  Harris  served  Back  Creek  (one  half  his  time) 
for  near'y  seven  years,  beginning  July  1891.  Humility, 
devotion  and  untiring  zeal  were  characteristic  of  his  min- 
istration; and  evidences  are  not  wanting  of  God's  approv- 
al of  his  labors  in  our  midst.  He  has  ever  since  been 
a  great  agent  in  furthering  the  Lord's  cause  among  the 
mountain-mission  sections  of  our  State,  whither  he  went 
from  this  field. 

In  1889,  commencing  in  June,  Rev.  Geo.  L.  Cook  sup- 
plied Back  Creek  live  months  as  stated  supply. 

Rev.  J.  A.  Gilmer's  term  of  service  began  July  1900, 
and  continued  four  years  and  three  months.  An  able 
preacher  and  devoted  pastor,  beloved  by  all.  His  labors 
were  greatly  blessed  in  lengthening  the  cords  and  stren- 
gthening the  stakes  of  our  Zion;  many  being  added  to  the 
Church,  of  such,  we  trust,  as  shall  be  saved. 

In  August  1902  our  Synodical  Evangelist  Rev.  Wm. 
Black,  with  our  pastor,  Rev.  J.  A  Gilmer,  held  a  most 
interesting  series  of  services,  with  marked  and  fruitful 
results. 

May  1905,  Licentiate  J.  B.  Branch,  Pastor  elect,  began 
laboring  in  this  field;  and  he  is  expected  to  be  ordained 
and  installed  at  some  time  during  the  regular  sessions  of 
Concord  Presbytery,  which  convenes  here  today  at  7:30 
p.  m. 

We  have  seen  that  Back  Creek  has  had  Pastors  and 
stated  supplies  in  all  to  the  number  of  fourteen;  besides 
the  temporary  supplies  of  short  durations,  during  vacan- 
cies or  intervals  between  regular  Pastors  and  stated  sup- 
plies, of  from  one  to  three  months  at  a  time,  by  licentiates 


Historical  Sketches.  29 

or  Seminary  students,  as  Rev.  Wm.  H.  Davis,  Rev.  J  Y. 
Allison,  the  late  and  lamented  Rev.  Wm.  R.  McLelland  and 
others.  The  pastor  elect  is  included  in  the  number  men- 
tioned above.  Of  these,  nine  accepted  the  call  to  the  Pas- 
torate. And  let  it  be  emphatically  noted,  and  remembered, 
that  not  one  of  these  ministers  is  known  to  have  been 
called  from  another  pastorate,  but.  without  exception  ,they 
have  been  men  of  their  first  pastoral  charge;  truly  a  re- 
markable conicidence. 

To  recapitulate,  the  time  served  by  regular  Pastors  is 
as  follows: 

*Rev.  J.  D.  Kilpatrick,  D.  D.,  twenty-two  years,  com- 
mencing April,  1807. 

Rev.  A.  Y.  Lockridge,  fourteen  years,  commencing  Oc- 
tober 1830. 

fRev.  Thos.  E.  Davis,  five  years,  commencing  March, 
1846. 

Rev.  S.  C.  Alexander,  D.  D.,  tive  and  one-half  years, 
commencing  March,  1854. 

Rev.  W.  B.  Watts,  seven  years,  commencing  June,  1861. 

Rev.  J.  A.  Ramsay.  D.  D.,  fourteen  years,  commencing 
June,  1877. 

Rev.  J   A.  Harris,  seven  years,  commencing  July,  1891. 

Rev.  J.  A.  Gilmer,  four  and  one-half  years,  commencing 
July,  1900. 

Rev.  J.  B.  Branch,  Pastor  elect,  began  May,  1905. 

The  combined  service  by  regular  Pastors  covers  over 
seventy-eight  years;  being  more  than  three-fourths  the 
age  of  the  church. 

Back  Creek  has  not  whereof  to  greatly  boast  of  the  num- 

*To  explain,  with  reference  to  Rev.  J.  D.  Kilpatrick,  D.  D.,  Back 
Creek's  first  Pastor,  his  services  were  secured  in  connection  with  Third 
Creek  Church,  his  first  charge,  which  he  had  served  for  some  years  be- 
fore the  organization  of  Back  Creek  Church:  thus  he  was  not  calJed 
from  that  field. 

fWhile  records  nor  tradition  establish  positively  our  claim,  yet  the 
preponderence  of  evidence  is  to  the  effect  that  Back  Creek  Church  was 
Rev.  Thos.  E.  Davis'  first  pastoral  charge,  and  we  feel  warranted  in 
making  it. 


30  Historical  Sketches. 

ber  of  her  sons  who  have  chosen  the  gospel  ministry," and 
gone  forth  as  heralds  of  the  Cross.  However,  we  men- 
tion, of  her  sons  and  grandsons  who  have  done  so,  the 
names:  James  Knox,  Silas  M.  Andrew,  D.  D.,  John  A. 
Barr,  J.  Scott  Barr,  Absolam  Barr,  Winslow  B.  Watts, 
Wm.  L.  Lowrance,  D.  D.,  Wm.  E.  Shive,  R.  W.  (Julbertson, 
Robt.  S.  Brown  and  J.  Pinkney  Rodgers:  all  Presbyterian 
except  the  last  mentioned,  who  is  a  Methodist. 

From  its  beginning  Back  Creek  has  had  thirty  Elders, 
all  of  whom,  (except  the  present  Session,  G.  Henry  Brown, 
H.  Ellis  Shoaf  and  Jno.  K.  Goodman)  have  finished  their 
courses  here,  and  the  places  that  once  knew  them  shall 
know  them  no  more;  but  their  records,  we  trust,  are  on 
high;  and  the  impresses  of  their  lives,  by  example  and  pre- 
cept, counsel  and  admonition,  still  bear  fruit  in  their  in- 
fluence for  good:  their  lives  being  "epistles  known  and 
read  of  all  men."  All  whom,  in  the  scope  of  this  sketch, 
really  deserve  more  extended  mention;  and  we  cannot  re- 
frain from  some  further  notice  of  the  able,  consecrated 
and  sacrificing  service  in  this  Church  of  Moses  Lingle. 
First  as  a  private  member,  then  as  a  Deacon  for  a  short 
while,  and  finally  as  an  Elder  for  his  last  nearly  twenty- 
seven  years,  and  twenty-six  years  of  that  time  Clerk  of 
the  Session,  for  the  most  part  Superintendent  of  the  Sab- 
bath School,  the  mainstay  in  the  weekly  prayer-meetings. 
He  was  a  ripe  scholar:  (a  graduate  of  Davidson  College) 
could  read  intelligently  six  or  seven  different  languages; 
he  took  great  delight  in  reading  the  holy  scriptures  in  their 
original  Hebrew  and  Greek  His  aim  and  laudable  ambi- 
tion was  the  gospel  ministry:  but  like  Moses  of  old,  his 
lack  of  fluency  of  speech  proved  an  insurmountable  bar- 
rier, and  that  cherished  houe  was  abandoned.  Yet  the 
Lord  assigned  him  a  work,  as  he  always  does  all  who  are 
willing  to  be  guided  by  his  unerring  counsels;  and  well  and 
faithfully  did  he  perform  that  work.  Truly  have  we  ex- 
claimed with  the  Psalmist:  "Help,  Lord,  for  the  Godly  man 
ceaseth,  for  the  faithful  fail,  from  among  the  children  of 
men."     His  place  in  this  church  still  remains  unfilled. 


Historical  Sketches.  31 

Since  March  15th,  1830,  to  which  time  no  Session  Re- 
cords are  found,  there  have  been  five  Clerks  of  Session, 
viz:  Geo.  Andrews  for  about  two  years,  Rev.  A.  Y.  Lock- 
ridge  for  eleven  years,  Col.  Jno.  P.  McCorkle  for  seven- 
teen years,  Moses  Lingle  for  twenty-six  years,  and  the 
present  clerk  for  the  past  eighteen  years. 

The  Session  of  this  Church  has  four  times  furnished  a 
Commissioner  to  the  General  Assembly:  Geo.  Andrews 
was  twice  honored  with  a  seat  in  that  body,  William  King 
once,  and  Jno.  K.  Goodman  once. 

Of  Deacons  since  1858,  succeeding  the  Church  Trustees, 
there  have  been  eighteen.  Seven  of  this  number  still  sur- 
vive, two  of  whom  are  now  serving  as  Ruling  Elders  in 
this  Church;  the  others  having  been  called,  one  by  one,  to 
their  final  rest  and  reward.  Let  it  be  said  that  the  success 
and  usefulness  of  this  church  has  all  along  been  largely 
due  to  the  efficiency  and  fidelity  of  its  Deacons.  "Honor 
to  whom  honor  is  due." 

Very  early  in  the  history  of  Back  Creek  its  people  real- 
ized the  great  importance  of  the  Sabbath  School  and  Bible 
Classes  for  the  study  of  God's  Word  Consequently,  in 
the  year  1815  or  1816  a  Sabbath-School  was  organized,  and 
it  has  ever  since  been  encouraged  and  maintained  in  this 
place.  With  pride  we  record  an  exact  copy  of  an  epitaph 
to  be  seen  in  Back  Creek  grave-yard,  to-wit: 


32  Historical  Sketches. 

In  Memory  of 

CATHERINE  GEO.  ANDREWS,  \ 

who  departed  this  life 

March  23,  1836, 

in    her    59th   year. 

The  first  Female  Bible-Class  teacher 

in   North   Carolina,  commencing  in  1816. 

During  her   last  nineteen  years   she  was  the 

faithful  and  successful  teacher  of  an 

Adult  Female  Bible  Class  in 

Back  Creek  Sabbath-School. 

Esteemed  Bible  wise,  Pious,  Prudent, 

Frugal  and   Benevolent. 

It  would  hardly  seem  out  of  place  to  make  passing  men- 
tion of  the  Church  Music  of  Back  Creek:  that  part  of  divine 
ser  vice  and  worship  which  so  properly  and  naturally  per- 
forms an  important  office  in  the  Sanctuary;  aiding  in  im- 
pressing and  fixing  the  truth  in  the  heart,  purifying  the  de- 
sires and  affections  and  raising  the  soul  to  God.  It  is  but 
fair  to  say  that  it  has  ever  been  characterized  as  simple  and 
sublime,  appropriate  and  devotional;  and  of  a  whole-souled 
nature  and  style  of  execution;  and  almost  universally  join- 
ed in  by  the  congregation.  The  church  choir  being  regard- 
ed as  the  directory  only,  and  not  a  monopoly  of  that  ser- 
vice. May  this  ever  be  so.  "Let  the  people  praise  Thee,  O 
God;  let  all  the  people  praise  Thee. " 

In  the  past,  (or  rather  the  more  remote  past)  Back  Creek 
has  been  highly  favored,  for  the  most  part,  in  having  lead- 
ers of  her  praise  service  worthy  the  name  and  mention. 
With  reference  to  former  days,  among  them  we  mention 
David  McNeely,  Robt.  McNeely,  Jesse  McNeely,  Newton 
Lowrance,  James  Lowrance,  David  Bradshaw  and  Col.  Al- 
fred Goodman.  In  these  days  of  which  we  speak,  the  lead- 
ers were  denominated  "clerks"  or  "precentors."  They, 
one  or  more,  stood  on  a  platform  directly  in  front  of  the 
pulpit,  "raised  the   tunes"  and  led  the  singing. 


Historical  Sketches.  33 

And  later  on,  deserving  special  mention  were  James  A. 
Houston  and  John  Graham.  The  former  with  a  firm,  full, 
strong  and  well-trained  voice,  led  the  sacred  songs  of  the 
Sanctuary  in  this  house  for  a  number  of  years,  until  called 
into  the  army  of  his  country  where  his  life  was  lost.  It 
was  during  his  day,  about  the  time  of  the  building  of  this 
the  house  of  worship,  that  first  regular  church  choir  was 
organized  here. 

The  latter,  John  Graham,  served  efficiently  in  this  ca- 
pacity for  seven  or  eight  years.  He  was  the  possessor  of 
a  clarion  voice  of  wonderful  power  and  quality;  and,  as  a 
treble  singer  of  sacred  music,  he  was  equaled  by  few  and 
excelled,  perhaps,  by  none:  as  persons  living  to  day  well 
remember — to  hear  him  sing  meant  never  to  forget  it. 

Common  modesty  forbids  that  the  writer  say  more  on 
this  subject  than  to  state  that  for  the  past  thirty-seven 
years  this  duty  has,  almost  without  intermission,  fallen  to 
his  lot. 

Recently,  in  August,  1905,  the  organ  was  placed  in  this 
church  (at  a  cost  of  1110.00)  with  the  desire  and  hopes  of 
improving  the  music.     May  those  hopes  be  realized. 

Before  the  emancipation  of  the  Southern  Negro  he  wor- 
shipped with  his  master  in  the  same  church,  and  enjoyed 
all  the  church  privileges,  consistent  with  the  relations  ex- 
isting between  the  white  and  negro  races;  many  of  them 
being  worthy  members  of  the  church.  The  gallery  in  this 
church  was  built  for  their  express  accommodation.  Faith- 
ful attention  was  given  to  their  moral  and  religious  train- 
ing. Frequently  the  minister  in  charge  would  preach  a 
sermon  specially  to  them;  they  leading  and  furnishing  the 
music,  of  no  inferior  quality.  And  they  were  not  forgot- 
ten in  the  Sabbath-School;  separate  classes  wTere  formed 
of  them,  taught  by  the  whites.  This  relation  and  condi- 
tion continued  for  some  time  after  "freedom;"  finally,  the 
changed  order  of  relation,  and  natural  trend  of  events  led 
to  their  separation  from  the  church  of  the  whites,  and  to 
their  distinct  organization;  still,  however,  some  reluctantly 
took  this  step. 


34  Historical  Sketches. 

The  early  lists  of  church  members  do  not  determine 
the  proportion  of  whites  to  colored. 

In  regard  to  the  numerical  strength  of  Back  Creek,  from 
time  to  time,  complete  records  fail  us.  In  1829  them  em- 
bership  was  124,  but  it  is  not  stated  how  many  white.     In 

1850  we  numbered  136  white  and  26  colored — total  162. 

In  1864,  96  white  and  74  colored — total  170. 

In  1869,  58  white  and  50  colored — total  108. 

In  1880,  83  white  and  no  colored — total  83. 

In  1894,  77  white;  in  1900,  90  white;  and  in  1905,  150 
white. 

The  financial  power  of  Back  Creek,  compared  with  other 
country  churches  in  this  Presbytery,  has  never  been  boast, 
ful.  In  "ante-bellum"  days  there  wTas  more  wealth  in  the 
Presbyterian  element  in  this  community  than  since. 

The  total  cost  of  this  church  building  is  not  recorded. 
A  copy  list  of  paid  individual  subscriptions  to  the  amount 
of  $2,283.75  is  found  in  the  hand-writing  of  Col.  Alfred 
M.  Goodman,  secretary  and  treasurer  of  the  building  com- 
mittee. What  the  balance  of  the  cost  was.  made  up  at  the 
dedication,  as  heretofore  stated,  we  are  left  to  conjecture 
— it  is  lost  in  oblivion. 

The  changing  and  shifting  of  population,  and  the  found- 
ing of  churches  of  other  sister,  Protestant  Denominations, 
have  caused  an  over-lapping  of  the  ground  formerly  more 
generally  occupied  here  by  Presbyterianism.  Still  this 
Church  maintains  her  equilibrium  and  prestige. 

And,  now,  in  the  opening  years  of  this  great  20th  Cen- 
tury, wThere  a  full,  rounded-out  century  of  time,  history 
and  ancestry,  of  which  we  are  justly  proud,  looks  down 
upon  us,  opportunities  for  glorifying  the  Great  Head  of 
our  Church  lie  wide  open  before  us.  And  each  Soldier  of 
the  Cross,  under  King  Immanuel,  in  this  warfare  against, 
the  combined  forces  of  the  World,  the  Flesh  and  the  Devil, 
is  expected  to  do  his  duty.  May  we  grasp  these  oppor- 
tunities with  a  courage  and  a  zeal  worthy  the  great  cause 
in  which  we  are  engaged;  with  a  strong  and  abiding  faith 
in  the  Captain  of  our  Salvation,  who  hath  said:  "I  will  be 
with  you  alway,  even  unto  the  end  of  the  world." 


NOTE  OF  APPENDIX. 


Centennial     Exercises     of     JDack      Creek      Church, 
September  5th,  1905. 


Agreeable  to  previous  arrangement  and  announcement, 
the  Centennial  of  said  Church  was  celebrated  to-day.  The 
weather  was  tine.  About  800  people  were  present  and 
eagerly  participated  in  and  enjoyed  the  services  of  the  oc- 
casion. Among  them  were  a  goodly  number  of  Ministers 
and  Elder  delegates  of  Concord  Presbytery. 

The  following  programme  of  exercises  was  observed, 
Rev.  J.  B.  Branch  presiding: 

1.  Singing  of  Hymn  511,  "Come  Thou  Fount"  to  tune 
Fount,  (Nettleton). 

2.  Reading  of  90th  Psalm  by  Rev.  J.  B.  Branch. 

3.  Prayer  by  the  venerable  Rev  S.  C.  Alexander,  D.  D., 
a  former  pastor  of  Back  Creek  Church,  50  years  ago. 

4.  Hymn  81,  "Come  Thou  Almighty  King,"  1-4-5  stanzas 
to  tune  New  Haven. 

5.  Rev.  J.  B.  Branch  made  short  remarks  of  welcome 
and  explanation  of  the  object  of  the  assemblage. 

6.  Reading  of  the  earlier  History  of  the  Church  by  Elder 
G.  Henry  Brown. 

7.  Hymn  325,  "How  Firm  a  Foundation",  1-5-6  stanzas, 
to  tune  Protection. 

8.  Reading  of  the  latter  History  of  The  church  by  Elder 
John  K.  Goodman. 

9.  Hymn  529,  "Glorious  Things  of  Thee  are  Spoken," 
1-2  stanzas,  tune  Harwell. 

10.  Prayer  and  Benediction,  by  Rev  J.  M.  Wharey,  D.  D. 

Recess  Hour.  During  which  time  an  ample  and  sump- 
tuous public  dinner  was  spread  upon  a  table  in  the  Church 
grove  and  partaken  of  and  enjoyed  by  all.  After  the  w7hites 
had  finished,  the  colored  people  in  attendance  (about  50) 
were  welcomed  to  partake  of  the  repast.  A  number  of 
these  had  been  members  of  this  Church. 

AFTERNOON. 

11.  Hymn  697  (omitting  2nd  stanza)  was  read,  and  was 
sung  to  the  anthem,  "Jerusalem  My  Glorious  Home." 

12.  Address  by  Rev.  J.  A.  Gilmer,  subject,  John  Knox, 
the  "Reformer." 

13.  The  24th  Psalm  was  read  by  Rev.  J.  B.  Branch,  and 
was  sung  to  the  Anthem,  "The  Earth  is  the  Lord's  and  the 
Fullness  Thereof." 

14.  An  address  or  sermon  by  Rey.  Geo.  H.  Cornelson, 
founded  on  17  verseof  118  Psalm,  "I  shall  not  die,  but  live." 

15.  Short  remarks  by  the  venerable   Rev.  W.  W.  Pharr, 


NOTE  OF  APPENDIX. 

D.  D.,  on  "Easter  Anthem,"  its  antiquity — the  excellence 
and  granduer  of  its  theme  and  composition — its  having" 
been  so  justly  and  worthily  a  great  favorite  piece  of  music 
of  our  ancestors  in  this  church  and  community — and  his 
request  that  it  be  sung,  which  wTas  done. 

16.  Impromptu  Remarks  by  Rev.  S.  C.  Alexander.  D.  D. 

17.  Closing  Song,  "When  Shall  we  Meet  Again?"  The 
4  stanzas  to  tune  "Unity." 

18.  Benediction  by  Rev.  S.  C.  Alexander,  D.  D. 

It  was  truly  a  happy  occasion — a  sad  pleasure  to  the  old, 
joyous  and  instructive  to  the  young.  Many  were  the  warm 
greetings  and  hearty  hand-shakings.  Many  had  not  met 
for  years,  and  many  will  not  again,  this  side  the  "Golden 
Gates."  Fifteen  white  persons  and  a  few  colored  ones 
were  present  who  were  at  the  dedication  of  this  Church 
Buildimr  on  March  21,  1857. 

The  old  music  rendered  was  heartily  joined  in  and  en- 
joyed by  the  multitude,  with  enthusiasm  and  devotion  de- 
lightful to  behold;  proving  true  the  never-dying  influence 
of  song,  expressed  in  the  lines: 

"When  through  life  unbless'd'  we  rove, 

Losing  all  that  made  life  dear; 
Should  some  notes  we  used  to  love 

tn  days  of  boyhood  meet  our  ear, 
Oh!  how  welcome  breathes  the  strain; 

Waking  thoughts  that  long  have  slept; 
Kind 'ling  former  smiles  again 

In  faded  eyes  that  long  have  wept. 

Like  the  gale  that  sighs  along 

Beds  of  oriental  flowers, 
Is  the  gracious  breath  of  song 

Which  once  was  heard  in  happier  hours; 
Filled  with  balm,  the  gale  sighs  on, 

Though  the  flowers  have  sunk  in  death; 
So  when  pleasures  dream  is  gone, 
Its  mem'ry  lives  in  music's  breath!" 

JNO.   K.  GOODMAN, 

Clerk  of  Session. 

Back  Creek  Church,  October  1,  1905. 
The  following  action  was   taken    by   the  Session  of  said 
Church,  viz: — 

In  order  that  the  History  of  Back  Creek  Church  for  the 
one  hundred  years  past  may  be  preserved,  and  obtainable 
by  all  wTho  may  desire  it,  the  Clerk  of  Session  was  directed 
to  have  the  Historical  Sketches,  (old  and  new)  printed  and 
bound  together,  in  pamphlet  form;  and  at  least  one  copy 
filed  with  the  Church  Records. 

JNO.  K.  GOODMAN, 
Clerk  of  Session. 


. 


Enterprise  Steam  Job  Print,  Mooresville,  N*  C. 


